Steam cooker with thermostatic boiler control



July 5, l94r8 I c. c. YOUNG ET Al.l '2,444,587

STEAM COOKER WITH THERMOSTATIC BOILER CONTROL Filed Aug. 28, 1944 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Wm wr.

Wm l' July 6,1948. C. c. YOUNG ETAL l 2,444,587

STEAM COOKER WITH THERMOSTATIC BOILER CONTROL Filed Aug. 28, 1944 4Sheets-Sheet 2 IlI I 70 ,4 TTORNEK .JUly'6,1948- g c. c. YOUNG ETAL2,444,587

STEAM COOKER WITH THERMOSTATC BOILER CONTROL Filed Aug. 28, 1944 4Sheets-Sheet 3 A rn/.fx

July 6, 1948. c. c. YOUNG ETAL STEAM COOKER WITH THERMOSTATIC BOILERCONTROL Filed Aug. 28, 1944 4 Sheets'-Sheet 4 Patented July 6, 1948 IUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEAM COOKER WITH THERMOSTATIC BOILERCONTROL souri Application August 28, 1944, Serial No. 551,588

10 Claims. (Cl. 12B-20.1)

This invention relates to food processing appliances of the character ofthose commonly employed as domestic equipment, and has for its primaryaim the provision of a cooking stove equipped' with means for treatingedible products through the application of steam.

One of the important aims of this invention is to provide a steam cookerof a type and size usable as a domestic food processing appliance,wherein a number of compartments are arranged in an accessible positionto the user and in combination with a steam generating boiler of novel,unique character, and capable of supplying steam to the severalcompartments as the same is required.

A yet further aim of this invention is to provide a steam cooker fordomestic type stoves, a portion whereof includes a specially designedhead disposed in a convenient position and in substantially the sameplane at the top of the stove as the conventional type gas burners-allto the end that the heat of the generated steam may be employed as ameans for raising the temperature of the head and thereby rendering thesame useful as a food processing element of the cooker.

This invention has for a still further important object, the provisionof control means for supplying water to the steam generating boiler,which means is actuated by fluctuation of temperature--the regulator forthe supply of water being responsive to temperature of materialsevacuated from all of the cooking compartments.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of speciallydisposed valves for controlling the passage of steam to the respectivecompartments; for exhausting the compartments as the closures thereforare swung to the open position; and for cooperating with a closure latchto insure a supply of steam only when the closure is locked in the shutposition.

Further objects will appear during the course of the followingspecication, referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a steam cooker forming a part of theconventional gas range and made in accordance with the presentinvention. i

Fig. 2 is a back elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of the steam cooker unit.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view through one of the reliefvalves and the chamber containing the same.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal fragmentary sectional view throughone of the steam supply and exhaust valves; and I Fig. 6 is adiagrammatical View illustrating the steam cooker in ow chartarrangement.

One of the major problems which avsteam cooker, made in accordance withthe present invention, is capable of solving, is the presentation to theordinary domestic kitchen of a stove that will process foods in smallquantities, Without danger and with freedom and convenience. Theautomatic safety features necessary for practical steam cookinginstallations are incorporated in the preferred embodiment of theinvention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and about to bedescribed.

Automatic means for providing the necessary amount of steam to theseveral compartments is also a part of the apparatus, as is temperaturedifferential control structure for supplying water to the steamgenerating boiler.

The appliance having the steam cooker therein is preferably of thegeneral character illustrated in Fig. l. Such an appliance is in thenature of a gas cooking stove and is designated generally by the numerall0.

Many models of domestic appliances have an opening to one side of anoven and broiler I2 and I4 respectively, and below the gas burners I6.It is within this space defined by the component parts o-f stove I0,that a number of cooking compartments 20, 22 and 24 are arranged. Thesecompartments have access openings at their forward ends and closures 26,28 and 30 respectively, for such openings. When the said closures are inthe shut position, the cooking compartments are sealed with theexception of drain conduits 32 of identical nature for each compartment.cate with the compartments at a lower zone of the bottom and preferablynear the forward or open ends thereof. As illustrated in Fig. 6,conduits 32 communicate with a receiving chamber 34 and each conduitterminates within chamber 34, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

A flap valve 36 hingedly mounted as at 38 and weighted to the desireddegree as at 40, closes each end of conduit 32 and only when fluids ofpredetermined pressure pass from the cooking compartments, will valves36 be opened. The temperature of the fluid passing into receivingchamber 34 controls the supply of water to a boiler 42, speciallydesigned to quickly generate steam from the water and formed asdisclosed in Serial No. 551,587 and now abandoned.

These drain conduits communi- A Water supply tank 44 supported in frame45 that holds all of the parts of the steam cooker in a unitarycondition, holds a volume of Water to be fed to boiler 42 through pipes48 wherein the thermostatically controlled valve 50 is disposed.Thisvalve 59 has a portion thereof in chamber 34, which portion isresponsive to the change in temperature in chamber 34, and comprises abi-metallic strip 52, or any other analogous part capable of shiftingthe stem of Valve50 to open and close the same.

Another valve 54 is in pipe 48 at its zone of juncture with boiler 42.This valve 54 has a bimetallic strip, or analogous means '56, for movingthe valve to an open or closed position, depending upon the temperatureWithin boiler 42. When the temperature in boiler 42 rraisesv above apredetermined degree, the valve opens and when gas burner 58, disposedbeneath boiler 42, is in operation, the temperature Within boiler 42will always ber great enough to cause valve 54 to remain open.

l't is desirable' to control thev 4flovf of fuel to burner l58byfanother thermostatically lcontrolled 'valve 60' sorthat when theboiler drops below a :'g'iven temperature, valve `lill will be opened bylthe flexing of loi-metallic member 62 and heat Will-again be applied totheboiler.

- A drain cock G4 interposed in pipe 43 allows Y:tank "44"t`o becompletely `evacuated and a filler y Vneck'li having a cap 68 disposedas shown in Fig. .1, is vconvenientlylocated to permit the user .tollfwater tankl `44 as needed. This ller neck 66 is removablyaflixeddirectly to water tank 44.

A hollow head connected to boiler 42 by `tube "l2 iis mounted to appearin substantially the i same'plane asburners l'G-thus, a'hot platehavingi steam' as `its heatingmedium is made available.

This hot plate has a baille 14 there-in, as illustrated in Fig, and areturn conduit i6 supports headi'l'llv in place. 1n actual practice,head T0 should be removably carried by xture I8 for removal'when theunitary portion of the steam cooker is to be shifted Within stove l0.

'Av'alve 8B extending to av point Within easy 'reachof the operator,`controls the passage of steam' fromboiler 42 to head mi Tube 'l2 has asuflicient number of branches to supply cooking compartmentslll, 22 and.24, and each compartfment is provided with a valve B2 of thema-tureillustrated in Fig. 5. VTube 'l2 and theoutlet port B4-are incommunication to supply steam to the associated cooking compartment whenplunger 86 isV in the position yshovvn in Fig. 5. The plunger is formedas shown and spring loaded as at '88A ft'o maintain plunger 85 in anormal position -Where section 90 of plunger 86 closes inlet port92,'which is inV communication with tube' 'l2 and Where exhaust duct 94'is receiving steam from Within the cooking compartment by Way of port84.

Each valve-82 is joined to an exhaust duct 94 and lall of thesaid ductsentend to a drain, which in theembodiment shown, is a removable tray'416. This tray -96 is carried by frame 45 behind door-98T through the'medium oi which the user may gain access to tray 96 to empty the same.

Valves 82 are opened and closed as closures '25',28` and`3'llare swungto and from the position closing the access openings of the variousvcompartments. 'Each closure `26, `23 and 3Q has a -latchfl'flmof likecharacter -that cooperates with valve 82' infa manner fully disclosed'in ourcopending- "application, executedland led on evenVfcoolingixconipartment should create an undesir- --aldlevlsualrefactionas regards sending forth a 1-5i cloudf'ofsteamthat will startle the useror obscure his vision:

IThe ,operation xof the steam cooker and the manner-,of mounting thesame in a frame 46,

"-where it may be rolled to position on channels HB2 through the mediumof rollers 04, has been made clear-ffroniA the 1 foregoing, and :fit`will be f `obv-iouswto':those skilled; n-l the-arti that itsteamVorftoo'ghighitemperatureris suppliedto any-ofrthe 'icooking'fscompartments T20; -22' and4 24' orVv head -10 '3 by'boiler`f42, :the-)thermostati-cally -c ontrolled Nvalve 5d will ybecloseddueto'tlie entrance of-uidioi thigh 'temperature :into chamber:34. tbSincenboiler v*42 istof theflash'typxino Water. remains'therein-to'bea converted to' steam atteravalve 50 is closed. It:isi-contemplated that thefsteam a be .converted :toliquidV :Withinffcompartmentsrl?, '22 'and 1124- in kpracticallyralllinstances, and such;condensate-as is not o'bsorbedby i the productsv :being x processed.will return't'o" control'- ychamber 34 and` 'from that point pas-s totray 9B by Way of drain w62 Low'temperature;steam desirable andsuiiicient` 'tozoperatezthe coolieni and; sincet'only' a Igas'connectionfior'A burnt-ir"` 581' need 'ibe made Wheni the uni-t1; isshifted. :the :entire assembly may izbe -reimovedf forfmaintenance,:orfa stove of conventional character' suppliedfrvvith'fthe steam'zcookingunit without' anf obiectio'nable :amountrrof alteration'.

` Obi'li'ouisly'fsteam.vv cookers havingmhysicalrcharf acteristicsdiie'rentffromf those'illustrated' and described maylfbe: macle` withoutdeparting frornrthe spirit of the invention or scope of ther-appendedclaims.

.eI-Iav'ingffthus v:described the invention, vwhat is claiinedfa'svnewfand desired tofbe secured bysLettersZPatentis:

1'. 'A steam-cookercomprisingsafnormallyfclosed compartmentfor:receiving the foodior processing; 1 a 'steam *generating boiler; a; pipelintercon- :nectingtheboiler'and arsomce of water supply;

ai valve ingthef pipe a tube' joiningfthe'v boiler and said compartmentto 4convey steamV from the former -tofthe'latter ay conduit: inconnection with the:compaimtmentftor evacuate thesame; and a temperatureresponsive-element Ain the conduit,

' said element having connection -with the Valve for actuating thelatter uponf changes in: tempera- :ture or the material passing through`the said'conduit.

2. A steam-cooker comprising-,afnormallyi closed ,compartmentfor-receivingthefood for processing; avgsteam--generating boiler; -apipeinterconz nectingzthe boiler anda Lsourcet of .water supply;

a normally open valve in the pipe; a tubeyjoining the boilerandfsai-dcompartmentto convey steam rfrom the former to the latter;afreceiving-f chamber; a conduit interconnecting the compartment andisaid. receivingv Vchamber whereby" condensate oit-'steam mayfiiowfrom ithefcompartmentr to-the chamber; and a temperatureiresponsiveelement lin:thcf chamber, :said element lhavingrconnecti on with the valve forclosing the latter when the temperature of the steam or condensateentering the chamber is above a predetermined point.

3. A steam cooker comprising a normally closed compartment for receivingthe food for processing; a steam generating boiler; a pipeinterconnecting the boiler and a source of Water supply; a valve in thepipe; a tube joining the boiler and said compartment to convey steamfrom the former to the latter; a receiving chamber; a conduitinterconnecting the compartment and said receiving chamber wherebycondensate or steam may ow from the compartment to the chamber; and atemperature responsive element in the chamber, said element havingconnection with the valve for actuating the latter upon changes intemperature of the steam or condensate entering the chamber, said valvebeing normally open, said element being set to actuate the valve to theclosed position when said temperature of the steam -or condensate risesabove a predetermined point.

4. A steam cooker comprising a normally closed compartment for receivingthe food for processing; a steam generating boiler; a pipeinterconnecting the boiler and a source of Water supply; a valve in thepipe; a tube joining the boiler and said compartment to convey steamfrom the former to the latter; a receiving chamber; a conduitinterconnecting the compartment and said receiving chamber wherebycondensate or steam may ow from the compartment to the chamber; atemperature responsive element in the chamber; and a pressure actuatedvalve in the chamber and governing the flow of condensate or steam fromthe conduit into said receiving chamber, said element having connectionwith the valve for actuating the latter upon changes in temperature ofthe material enteringr the receiving chamber through the said pressureactuated valve.

5. A steam cooker comprising a normally closed compartment for receivingthe food for processing; a steam generating boiler; a pipeinterconnecting the boiler and a source of Water supply; a tube joiningthe boiler and said compartment to convey steam from the former to thelatter; a conduit in connection with the compartment to evacuate thesame; a normally open valve in the pipe; a temperature responsiveelement in the conduit, said element having connection with the valveand being operable to close the valve upon rise in temperature above apredetermined point of the material passing through the conduit; asecond valve in the pipe between the said iirst mentioned valve and theboiler; and a second temperature responsive element in the boiler havingconnection with said second valve and being operable to maintain thesecond valve in an open condition when the temperature within the boileris above a certain point.

6. In a` steam cooker, a series of cooking compartments; a steamgenerating boiler; a pipe interconnecting the boiler and a source ofWater supply; a valve in the pipe; tubes joining the boiler and thecompartments to convey steam from the former to the latter; a receivingchamber having a thermostat therein, said thermostat being operablyconnected to said valve; conduits connecting each compartment and thereceiving chamber; and pressure controlled valves on each conduit in thesaid chamber, said valve in the pipe being adapted to stop the supply ofWater to the boiler when the same is actuated by the thermostat inresponse to temperature within the chamber, due to steam passing fromany of the compartments rising above a predetermined point.

7. In a steam cooker, a series of cooking compartments; a steamgenerating boiler; a pipe interconnecting the boiler and a source ofwater supply; a valve in the pipe; tubes joining the boiler and thecompartments to convey steam from the former to the latter; a receivingchamber having a thermostat therein, said thermostat being operablyconnected to said valve; conduits connecting each compartment and thereceiving chamber; and pressure controlled valves on each conduit in thesaid chamber, said valve in the pipe being adapted to stop the supply ofwater to the boiler when the same is actuated by the thermostat inresponse to temperature Within the chamber, due to steam passing fromany of the compartments, rising above a predetermined point, each of thepressure controlled valves being provided with individual parts forsetting the same to allow steam or condensate under predeterminedpressure to open the valves and enter the said receiving chamber.

8. A steam cooker comprising a plurality of normally closed compartmentsfor receiving the food for processing; a steam generating boiler; a pipeinterconnecting the boiler and a source of water supply; a valve in thepipe; a tube for each compartment respectively, said tubes each havingconnection with the boiler to simultaneously convey steam from theboiler to the compartments; an evacuating conduit for each compartmentrespectively; and a temperature responsive actuating element for thevalve, said element being disposed in the paths of travel of materialemanating from all of said conduits for actuating the valve upon changesin temperature of said material.

9. A steam cooker comprising a plurality of normally closed compartmentsfor receiving the food for processing; a steam generating boiler; a pipeinterconnecting the boiler and a source of water supply; a valve in thepipe; a tube for each compartment respectively, said tubes each havingconnection with the boiler to simultaneously convey steam from theboiler to the compartments; an evacuating conduit for each compartmentrespectively; a temperature responsive actuating element for the valve,said element being disposed in the paths' of travel of materialemanating from all of said conduits for actuating the valve upon changesin temperature of said material; and a chamber for housing said element,said chamber having connection With each oi" said conduits.

10. A steam cooker comprising a plurality of normally closedcompartments for receiving the food for processing; a steam generatingboiler; a pipe interconnecting the boiler and a source of water supply;a valve in the pipe; a tube for each compartment respectively, saidtubes each having connection with the boiler to simultaneously conveysteam from the boiler to the compartments; an evacuating conduit foreach compartment respectively; a temperature responsive actuatingelement for the valve, said element being disposed in the paths oftravel of material emanating from all vof said conduits for actuatingthe valve upon changes in temperature of said material; manuallyoperable closures for each of said tubes for controlling the flow ofsteam to the compartments; and a chamber for housing the said element,said chamber having common connection to all of said conduits wherebythe element isrendered Aopgerenale Joy the maken@ when Number .any-oneof the closures is-open. 15521498 CYRIL CHARLES YOUNG. 1,628,995 'DGNALDF; 1,756,690 5 2,060,434

REFERENCES- CITED lTine following references are of record in the leofthis patent: Number UNITED STATES PATENTS im 22,120' l 498,096 NumberName lDante 509,345 603,879 Jackson May 10, 1898 510,603

1,024,521 Mills Apr. 30, l194:2

,Name Datev Wallace Feb, 24, 1925 McKenna- May 17, 1927 Johnson Apr. 29,1930 Vincent Nov. 10, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain1898 Great Britain Jan. 3, 1939 Great Britain July 14, 1939 GreatBritain Aug. 3, 1939

